Chapter VIII

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Objectives
1. Familiarize students the basic steps in attending to emergency
situations;
2. Provide the knowledge and skills needed in attending emergency
situations
3. Train the students in responding and attending to different types of
disasters /calamities.

A Chinese philosopher once said, “Nature has no heart” but like the fabled
Phoenix, which rises from its own ashes, a Filipino rises from the rubbles, and
overcome the wraths of nature. Filipinos are by nature resilient and enduring.
Like a bamboo they are pliant but do not break. Throughout time Filipinos
have been undergoing a lot of problems and difficulties, and have experienced
devastating trials and challenges but remained strong in spirit.

Disaster and calamities may strike anytime, anywhere without warning.

Like a thief in the night they sneak into our lives and if caught unprepared,
the damage and havoc they cause is devastating and severe. It could mean a
lifeand-death situation; loss of life and property. Disaster and calamities
chooses no place to strike whether at home, in school, in the church, in the
workplace or in the streets, reason for us to be always ready and prepared for
less damage and loss.

Being prepared is everybody’s concern and responsibility. Though the

prime duty of the government is to avert and safeguard people from incoming
disaster and other forms of catastrophe, citizens as well are encouraged to do
their part in the prevention of incoming disaster that might destroy lives and
properties.

Lesson 8.1 Definition of terms

Disaster – refers to the natural or man-made disruption and disturbance
of the functions of society causing great losses to lives, property and the envi-
ronment. When natural and man-made disturbances is dangerous and turns
actual events as killing machine, injures a lot of people, and causes consider-
able damage to resources and investments, it becomes a disaster.

Disaster Preparedness refers to one’s ability to respond to incoming ca-

lamities with effective and appropriate measures in order to lessen, thwart and
abate possible dangers and destruction it brings to lives and property. It is
characterized by the presence of an effective mechanism and plans whereby an
impending danger brought about by disaster is arrested through effective com-
munication system for the proper information dissemination and ample prepa-
ration by acquiring enough knowledge and information about disastrous situ-
ations. 93
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Relief – refers to temporary or permanent stability caused by effective

measures and employment of necessary solutions that follow after a disaster.
It is the satisfaction of immediate and basic needs of the survivors of food,
clothing, shelter and medical care.

Rehabilitation – is the immediate action taken in order to facilitate the

employment of necessary assistance and care to the victims of a disaster; a
place where victims of disaster are relocated to avoid further injury and dam-
age to their health and for faster service and care.

Lesson 8.2 Types of Disasters

8.21. Natural Hazards/ Emergencies

Typhoons and Storm Surges

Climactic Variability ( La Nina, El Nino)
Flash Floods
Earthquakes
Tsunami
Volcanic Eruptions
Landslides
Pestilence
·Drought

8.2.2 Man-Made

Fire Incident
Marine/Air Disaster
Structural Collapse
Hazardous spills Nuclear
Accidents Water Supply
Breakdown
Food Scarcity
Pollution

Lesson 8.3 General Effects of Disaster

1. Loss of life
2. Injury
3. Damage to and destruction of property/ infrastructure
4. Disruption of production and destruction of subsistence and cash
crops/loss of livelihood/ economic loss.
5. Disruption of essential and basic services
6. Emotional and psychological disturbance

The following are responsibilities/ tasks of concerned individuals or

groups during emergencies or disaster on a case to case basis.
• provision and dissemination of warning
• search and rescue
• survey, assessment and reporting of disaster effects
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• treatment and care of victims

• clearance of debris and rehabilitation of roads, airfields, railway
system, ports and other key areas
• provision of emergency food and water supplies
• provision of shelter
• evacuation of individuals, groups, and communities and livestock
• provision of health and sanitation measures
• restoration of essential services such as communication, water and
power supplies
• direction and coordination of counter -disaster measures
• information and advice to the public
• immediate financial assistance to the victims
• maintenance of public morale
• counseling of victims and relatives
• control and distribution of emergency supplies
• liaison with the media
• rehabilitation of crops, production and other aspects of subsistence
and livelihood
• emergency building programs
• measures for long- term recovery
• application of emergency regulations

Lesson 8.4 Preparatory Measures in Different Disasters:

In case of TYPHOONS

• Stay indoors and keep calm.

• Monitor TV and radio reports.
• Secure your home.
• Trim trees near your dwellings.
• Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
• If your house is in a flood prone area, go to the nearest designated
evacuation center.
• Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh batteries.
• Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene, batteries and first aid
supplies.
• In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and
water in your home.
• Stack your furniture above the expected flood level. Keep appliances,
• valuables, chemicals, toxic substances and garbage beyond reach
of floodwaters.
• Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes, cliffs,
and foothills. Rains can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.
• Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing
streams. 95
 Coursebook in CWTS I

• Do not operate any electrical equipment during a flood.

• Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.

A Tsunami is a gigantic sea wave generated by disturbances associated

primarily with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean floor. It is a
series of traveling ocean waves of extremely long length. These generally ap-
pear as a large, steep wave face and produce rapid flooding of low-lying
coastal areas.

In case of TSUNAMIS

• A strong earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. Do not stay in low-

lying and seashore areas after an earthquake. A tsunami might occur
within minutes.
• Other natural signs include sudden lowering of the sea level or an un
usual rise and fall of the sea level.
• Fish and other marine life may be exposed when the sea retreats:
Never go down to the beach to collect these. Tsunami waves might
rush back anytime and carry you out to the sea with great force.
• Tsunamis are also preceded and/or accompanied by unusual sounds.
Be alert for these signs, too.
• Immediately vacate and seek higher ground. Stay there until all signs
of danger have passed.

An Earthquake is a feeble shaking to violent trembling of the ground pro-

duced by sudden displacement of rock materials below the earth’s surface.

In case of EARTHQUAKES

• If you are in a structurally sound building protect yourself by getting

under a sturdy table or desk and holding on to it while shaking occurs;
or you can also protect your head with your arms.
• If you are inside a moving vehicle, do not attempt to cross bridges,
overpasses, or flyovers which may have been damaged.
• If you are near the shore and feel an earthquake, it is safest to assume
that a tsunami might occur. Move to higher ground.
• If you are outside, move to an open area. Stay away from power lines,
posts and concrete structures that may fall or collapse.
• Move away from mountainous areas or near a steep hill slope where
landslides might occur.
• Stay calm and don’t panic. Once the shaking stops, take the fastest
and safest way out of a building in an orderly and calm manner. Do
not use elevators. Use the stairs.
• Check yourself and others for injuries. Administer first aid if trained to
do so. Otherwise, seek immediate assistance from nearby authorities if
necessary.
• Do not enter partially damaged buildings after an earthquake. Strong
aftershocks may cause these structures to collapse.

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• Check for spills of chemicals, toxic and flammable materials to avoid

potentially disastrous situations.
• Check for fires and if there are any, have them extinguished.
• Check water and electrical lines for damage; if any damage is
suspected, switch off water and electricity.
• Should you decide to evacuate, leave a note stating where you will go.
• Bring along items essential for your survival. Do not overburden
yourself.
• Follow official advisories and warnings.
• Avoid needless telephone and road use to allow authorities ‘
unhampered use of these for relief and rescue operations.

In case of Volcanic Eruptions

• Residents living around an erupting volcano are faced with volcanic

hazards that may ensue: these include pyroclastic flows, ash fall and
lahar.
• Hazard maps that show areas likely to be affected by any of these
hazards are available from proper authorities prior to eruption. Follow
all advisories and warnings, as these can save your lives.
• Avoid the declared permanent danger zones in your locality. Also rivers
where hazardous volcanic substances can flow should be avoided.
• Should ash fall occur, cover your nose with a wet cloth for better
breathing.
• Food should always be covered to prevent contamination.
• Always clean your roofs when heavy ash fall occurs to prevent collapse.
• If you are inside a moving vehicle, seek shelter immediately.
• If you are along the path of potential lahar flows, move to higher
ground or to a designated evacuation site immediately.

Floods – as defined by the UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organi-

zation is a rise, usually brief, in the water level in a stream to a peak from
which the water level recedes at a slower rate. A phenomenon brought about
by intense and excessive precipitation which can be disastrous.

In case of FLOODS

• Be vigilant. Monitor water level

• Go to the nearest designated evacuation center if your house is in a
flood prone area.
• Take precautionary measures. Turn off the main sources of electricity,
gas and water. Operating any electrical equipment during a flood or
that have been flooded is dangerous.
• Stack your furniture and appliances, valuables, toxic chemicals and
substances as well as garbage above the expected flood level.
• Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing
streams. Just stay in a safe place.
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What to have .............

• First Aid Kit. Includes medicines and essentials for primary treatment
of fever, LBM, cough, colds, wounds and other ailments.
• Flashlights, candles, matches and fresh, spare batteries.
• Portable radio and fresh, spare batteries.
• Potable drinking water in sealed containers. Store water for everyday
use in other pails and drums.
• Basic equipments for the needs of infants, the elderly and the disabled.
• Non-perishable foodstuffs sufficient for three days.
• Blankets, clean clothes, raincoats, rubber boots, tissue paper and
other sanitary supplies.
• Bring some money, including loose change.
• Large and sturdy plastic bags that can be used to store and protect
various important items and documents.

Approaches to Disaster Management

1. Prevention – these are actions designed to impede the occurrence of a

disaster or its harmful effects on communities and key installations;
2. Mitigation – these are programs intended to reduce the ill effects of
disaster;
3. Preparedness – these are measures which enable governments, orga-
nizations, communities and individuals to respond rapidly and effec-
tively to disaster situations.
4. Disaster Impact – this reminds us that effects of different kinds of
disaster vary.
5. Response – these are measures taken immediately prior to and
following disaster impact.
6. Recovery – this a process by which communities and organizations
are assessed in returning to their proper level of functioning following
a disaster.
7. Development – this provides the link between disaster- related activi-
ties and national development.

Constraints/ Challenges in Disaster Management

1. Lack of appreciation and support to the Disaster Preparedness

Program by duty holders;
2. Lack of strong and effective Disaster Coordinating Council at the local
level;
3. Absence of Disaster Preparedness Planning;
4. Lack/ absence of effective linkages for disaster operation;
5. Absence of a functional Disaster Operation Center especially at
the local level;
6. Erroneous disaster reporting and monitoring; and
7. Insufficient knowledge and training on disaster management.

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Disaster Management Policies:

1. Self reliance through self help and mutual assistance.

2. Maximum use of resources in the affected areas
3. Planning and operation to be done at the barangay level, in an inter
agency, multi- sectoral basis to optimize existing resources.
4. Documentation of plans of Disaster Operation Center members
5. Local leadership to take charge at their respective levels.
6. National government to support local government efforts.
7. Conduct of exercise and periodic drills at the local level to ensure the
preparedness of all concerned.

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